3. Double-double machine
When Lauri Markkanen is able to command the paint, there’s not much that most opposing bigs can do about it. Any seven-footer like Markkanen that has the mobility, wingspan, and underrated leaping ability that he brings to the table is hard to defend and keep off the glass. That should only be increasingly more impactful for Markkanen and the Bulls.
The rebounding ability and efficiency of Markkanen in the paint is evident by the fact that he leads the Bulls in defensive rebounding percentage and ranks in the top three on the team among the regular starters in total rebounding percentage. Part of the reason why Markkanen doesn’t have a better offensive rebounding percentage is how many looks he has from deep.
Many times Markkanen doesn’t even get the opportunity to reel in offensive boards. That role was reserved more for players like Portis and Robin Lopez. Chicago has yet to buy out Lopez, but it could happen soon enough. With both those players either already or potentially out the door in the Windy City, the double-doubles could start becoming more frequent for Markkanen.
While Markkanen isn’t best set for a player that exclusively works down low, his offensive rebounding percentage should go way up if the Bulls decide to buy out Lopez. Even though he missed pretty much the entire first-fifth of the regular season, Markkanen already has double-double outings in the double-digits following his 31 and 18 performance against the Nets.